SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced June 6 that he has joined with the attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Maine, Maryland and Vermont in submitting legal objections to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to drop a proposed ban on chlorpyrifos.
Pruitt decided not to ban the pesticide, which is used on more than 80 food crops. Many of the crops, including apples, strawberries, bananas, pears, peaches, nectarines and cherries, are consumed by children and infants.
The EPA, under the Obama administration, had moved to ban the substance because of its possible adverse health effects. Pruitt, however, reversed the decision.
“This pesticide has been suspected of causing health problems for infants and children for many years,” Becerra said.
“California grows the best fruits in the country. But no parent should have to question if these healthy foods are unsafe for their children to consume. EPA Administrator Pruitt has to put the health of the American people ahead of profits for companies. Simply checking to determine the safety of food should be a no-brainer.”